The President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju has launched the Prince Adewale Adeyanju Foundation (PAAF) with donation of school supplies to primary and secondary pupils and the rehabilitation of Old People’s Home, Yaba as he marked his birthday on Sunday, October 1st in Lagos.
A total of 250 pupils from selected schools in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local government Area of Lagos benefitted from the foundation’s donation aimed at giving back to the society. Each pupil received a school bag, books, water bottles and other school materials.
Speaking at the launch of the foundation which attracted eminent industry stakeholders including the Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup, Comrade Adeyanju said the mission of the foundation was to give back to the society especially vulnerable persons.
Adeyanju who doubles as the Deputy President, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), stated that the foundation had earlier embarked on medical outreach for the elderly within the Ajegunle community where about 196 people were attended to.
He said prescribed medications were distributed to some elderly while tests on sugar, blood and eyes were conducted on those present.
The PAAF founder urged government at all levels to assist elderly ones with the right medications saying that the well being of the aged citizens must be paramount.
He also encouraged members of the union to always check their health status regularly, especially their sugar and blood pressure.
“Almost everybody walking on the road has Blood Pressure (BP) issues and most of them do not have the capacity to access health care services. The local government is not doing enough to take good care of the citizens and that is why the level of health challenges in the country is alarming.
“The state and federal government too is not doing enough to provide health facilities for the people. That’s why some people move on the road and collapse and people will think that they attacked them, no. it is because they are not checking their BP, cholesterol, and sugar level.
“76 persons were discovered to have BP in two days among the 196 persons checked. The government should make sure that the citizens are taken care of. The government should empower and direct the local governments to make sure that all the citizens are well taken care of.
“We went to the schools, you can see how the schools are, the principal’s office was an eyesore. Those days when we were in secondary school, the principal’s office was like heaven.
“Since I started this foundation, it has opened my eyes more and we need to tell the government that all is not well with the citizens at the community, local government level.
“We gave out 250 bags to three schools including primary and secondary, 76 eyeglasses were given to people, 196 persons were attended to, about 30 to 40 persons were referred because they have glaucoma, others eye problems,”he said.
Adeyanju disclosed that there are plans by the foundation to collaborate with the NGO established by his daughter and work seamlessly to give back to society.
Also speaking, daughter of the PAAF founder, Adetayo Adeyanju appreciated the gathering saying that the foundation is not in competition with any Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) in humanitarian services but added that collaboration was key towards providing services to humanity.
Adetayo Adeyanju, described the founder as visionary because according to her most Nigerians need help in numerous ways, especially as it concerns health, feeding and mental capacity.
Deputy Secretary, NLC, Comrade Ismaila Bello described Comrade Adeyanju as an uncommon leader, stating that, “He lives to do his things quietly and doesn’t want to be heard meanwhile he is impacting lives.
“People are happy to work and associate with him even at the NLC level. We pray that God will empower and bless him in wealth so that he can do this in a more elaborate way.”
Managing Director, Micura Services Limited, Michael Orobosa, who also doubles as patron of PAAF stated that the innovation was worth emulating.
Orobosa, who was the chief launcher, advised stakeholders including terminal operators to key into the foundation to support the needy and serve humanity.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of STOAN while pledging to support the foundation noted that the maritime industry cannot afford to allow the union to hand over the affairs of the organisation to someone who will destroy all the works and legacies of comrade Adeyanju.
She said that the industry had enjoyed a considerable peace since Adeyanju mounted the seat of leadership of the union.
Her words, “Leadership is very important. When this man leaves, we have to look at who succeeds him, I am going to be part of it. We don’t want somebody who will come and spoil what he started.”
